'We look better at 40 than we did at 20"

Lucy Armitage meets four women who finally have the bodies they've always wanted.

"Having lap-band surgery changed my life" Kate Bassett-Smith, 43

"During my 20s I weighed 95 kilos. My weight didn't bother me hugely, but I felt disappointed when friends bought clothes in trendy shops while I'd have to go to the same places as my mum to find things that fitted. I tried every fad diet going; I even ended up in hospital after trying slimming tablets.

"By the time I was 40 I weighed 105 kilos. No matter what I did I couldn't shift the weight. I was worried about my health and went to bed each night wondering if I'd wake up in the morning. The thought of not being there for my two daughters terrified me.

"I decided lap-band surgery was the only thing that could help me. Failure wasn't an option – I had to find a way of having a healthy life. I had the op two years ago and now weigh 71 kilos.

"The key to a successful lap band is what you do afterwards, so I've completely changed the way I eat. Instead of lots of white bread and huge portions, I now have small portions of porridge, soup or fish. Losing weight has motivated me to exercise; now I love walking.

"I'm a size 12 to 14 now and feel great. For the first time in my life I've had compliments about the way I look."

"Yoga has given me the body I always wanted" Jackie Maxted, 49

"I never felt sexy in my 20s. I was a size 14 to 16 and felt clunky compared with my two glamorous sisters. I rounded my shoulders and tried to hide my body so nobody could see my shape. I went to the gym but never addressed my pet hate – my slightly flabby stomach.

"Then, when I was 40, I went to a health retreat and discovered yoga. For the first time ever I found that exercise could be a way of life; it made me look at everything differently.

"After practising yoga four times a week, the first thing I noticed was how much my mental focus increased; I could deal with difficult situations more easily.

"After about a year I realised my body had changed too. It's leaner and stronger and my core is the best it's ever been. I don't have tuckshop arms and my posture is better than ever.

"Feeling good in my body has also given me the confidence to improve other aspects of my looks; I've learnt a good hairdresser is essential and the right make-up with expert advice can make all the difference.

"I'm a happy, healthy size 10. I finally feel like I'm in the body I was meant to have."

"I learnt to listen to my body and lost 30kg" Amanda Salisbury, 42

"When I was 20 I weighed 93 kilos. I made my own clothes so I didn't have to go shopping and admit what size I was. I'd start a diet on a Monday, then by Friday I'd have given up and binged on a whole pizza, five chocolate bars and half a tub of ice-cream.

"I was studying science, so my determination to lose weight led me to a career in medical research to find solutions. My discovery was simple: listening to your body is essential. Stopping conventional dieting was liberating and I relaxed. I started to eat only when I was hungry. I stopped eating when I was full and didn't feel deprived anymore. I had treats occasionally but always made sure I had at least two fruits and five vegetables every day.

"The weight slowly dropped off and now I'm 65 kilos. Not only am I a healthy weight but I think I look better because I'm relaxed. I'm not worried about feeling hungry. If I'm not particularly active one day, I'm usually less hungry so I just eat less. I let my body dictate what I need.

"Going into a shop and buying a size 12 dress is divine. I feel great."

"I relaxed my fitness regime and got great abs" Annette Spanski, 44

"In my 20s I trained hard to stay a size 10. I ran 10 kilometres five times a week and was very conscious about what I ate; everything was low-carb, low-fat, low-salt – you name the diet, I've done it.

"But as I got into my late 30s I started to worry about wrinkles and the impact that long-distance running might have on my face. I decided to relax my regime – and it's had an incredible effect.

"I'm more toned than I've ever been, but I'm working out less. I've learnt that creating muscle tone is all about the little things.

"I walk for an hour twice a week and keep my stomach muscles pulled in the whole time. Although it doesn't feel strenuous, I'm working my core and helping my abs. Twice a week I do 50 lunges and three sets of 25 push-ups, keeping my stomach pulled in. These keep my whole body toned.

"I don't do fad diets anymore either; I eat organic when I can, but indulge in dessert or chips as a treat.

"I believe if you don't use it you lose it – but I've discovered you can be in great shape without pushing yourself too hard."

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